Sandrine Rousseau calls on him to “step back” from chairing the finance committee

Sandrine Rousseau takes a stand after the opening of an investigation for sexual harassment and assault against Eric Coquerel by the Paris prosecutor’s office. The elected ecologist estimated, Friday, July 15 on the set of “4 Truths” of France 2, that the deputy La France insoumise “cannot chair meetings of the Finance Committee [de l’Assemblée nationale] during the investigation”. This “withdrawal” would allow, according to her, “an unfolding of the police investigation that is completely independent of a media report”.

“I’m not calling on him to step down, I’m just saying he shouldn’t be in the chair.”

Sandrine Rousseau

on France 2

“He must let the vice-president or vice-president preside over the time of the investigation in his place, so that the police can do their job calmly”, insisted the deputy. Once the investigation is complete, then Eric Coquerel “will be able to resume his position as chairman of the finance committee if there is nothing”, according to Sandra Rousseau. But “if he is indicted, or if there is a legal procedure, then he will have to resign”, she added.

The investigation was opened after Sophie Tissier, a former close friend of the Left Party and ex-figure of the “yellow vests”, filed a complaint in early July.. She denounces facts “could amount to sexual assault” dating from August 23, 2014 in Grenoble, which Eric Coquerel denies.

Asked about BFMTV on Friday, the deputy LFI Adrien Quatennens for his part judged that the opening of the investigation was only a “right after” of Sophie Tissier’s complaint, that he “there are no new facts” and that the facts in question “do not justify a withdrawal”.